Sofia and Madeline The First
Chapter One: Just Two of the Princes
The Royal Carriage made it's way through a forest bath. The whole royal family were riding in it, two unable to contain their excitement.
"Oh, I hope we're not late!" Sofia said excitedly, trying to see how far they still had to go to reach their destination.
"We'd already be there if Amber didn't take so long to get ready." James smirked.
"I had to find my Derby Tiara." Amber declared, putting a hand on it. "That's the best thing about the Flying Derby. Everyone dresses up."
"No, no, Amber." Madeline shook her head. "The Best thing about the Flying Derby is the race."
"It's our favorite sport in the whole kingdom!" Sofia cheered.
"Sofia and Madeline used to pretend to race, using our old mop and a broom as their flying horses." Miranda told the family.
"Can we go any faster?" Sofia asked. "We don't want to miss anything."
"Coachman, better take the high road." Roland declared.
"Yes your Majesty." The coachman nodded.
With a tug of their reins, the coachhorses wings unfurled, and they took off into the sky, taking the carriage and it's passengers with them.
At the Derby, the Royal Family entered their private box above the stands.
"We're just in Time!" Madeline cheered.
"I know." Sofia smiled. "The race is starting now."
At the girl's words, the bell rang to start the race. The horses took flight and went through hoops of varying shapes: Circle, Squares, or Triangles. It was amazing to see how they could fit through each shape.
"You know girl's, Royal Prep has a Flying Derby team too." Amber told his little sisters.
"It does, really?" Madeline gasped.
"You bet." James nodded. "There's a tryout next week, and we start practicing tomorrow. You guy's can watch if you want.
"I'm definitely going." Amber smiled. "Prince Hugo will be there. He's the best rider in Royal Prep."
"Hey, I'm just as good as him." James boasted.
"Oh come on, you didn't even make the team last year." Amber reminded.
"This year will be different." James declared.
Then, the horses in the race flew right through the clock tower.
"Look at them go." Madeline said with awe. "So fast!"
The pink horse ended up winning and as a prize it got a "medal" of roses.
"What a great race." Sofia declared.
"Oh, it would be so much fun to Ride in the Flying Derby!" Madeline declared.
"You girls should come watch the Flying Derby Practice at school tomorrow." Amber suggested.
"Maybe we will." Sofia said thoughtfully.
But the two Sister had something else in Mind then just Watching.
The next day after school, Amber and her friends were at the practise grounds.
"Prince Hugo." Amber smiled.
"Princess Amber." Hugo said haughtily.
"I just wanted to wish you luck." Amber said, opening her to reveal a picture of Hugo. "I'm your biggest fan."
"You must be if you're coming to watch Practice." Hugo said smugly. "The real show would be the tryout race."
The riding instructor, Sir Gilliam, walked on to the field.
"Okay boys. Let get started." He declared. "Time to fly."
"Hey, Amber." Said Sofia, as she and Madeline walked by.
"Huh?" Amber gaped. "Sofia, Madeline, the Bleachers are this way." Sofia and Madeline kept walking. "Sofia? Madeline?"
"Good Afternoon." Madeline greeted the riders. "Who's ready to race some flying horses?"
"Good Afternoon, sir Gilliam." Sofia nodded.
"Oh hello, Princesses." Sir Gilliam replied. "The bleachers are right over there."
"We didn't come to watch, sir Gilliam." Madeline declared.
"We came to try out for the team." Sofia smiled.
Sir Gilliam, the princes, and the princesses all cried out "WHAT?!"
"What?" Sofia asked, confused. "What's wrong?
"Um, only Princes can ride in the Flying Derby." Hugo told them.
"So Princesses can't try out?" Madeline asked.
"Well... they could, but..." Sir Gilliam stammered.
"But they don't." Amber finished for him. "he Flying Derby is just not a Princess thing."
Amber: There are many thing Princesses do Like hosting balls and dancing too or wearing gowns of Pink blue that what we like to do
Hugo: Thene are many things that princes like Jousting, polo, taking hikes Suits of armor with lots of spikes that what we really like
Princesses; we do Princes things
Princes; and we do Princely Things
All and no one crosses in between we stick with our routine
Sofia: But who knows what we could bring Flying high upon a wing
Madeline: We believe that anything can be a princesses thing
Sofia and Madeline got on two toy horses. PRincesses:ead a pome or pick daffodils Sing wishfully in widow sills
Hugo: Derby calls for Princely skills
Sir Gilliam caught the two girls before they fell off the two toy horses.
Amber: It's not a proper Princess King of thrill"
Princesses: We do Princess things
Princes: And we do Princely things
Both: All and no one crosses in between we stick with our routine
Princes: we Climb trees and Jump and Swing
Princesses: while we shop for Royal bling. so don't make a fuss just stick with us Princesses and do our Princess things!
Sofia: but who knows what we could bring Flying high upon a wing Madeline: we Believe that anything can be a Princess thing
Later that day, Sofia and Madeline sat in their room, sharing food with their animal friends
"How was school." Robin asked.
"Okay." Madeline sighed. "We wanted to try out for the Flying Derby Team."
"That sounds like fun." Mia said.
"We wish it had been fun." Sofia said.
"Uh-oh." Robin gulped. "What's wrong?"
"Everyone says that only boys can do it." Madeline admitted.
"WHAT?" Clover gasped. "Robin, have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?"
"I don't know, you say ridiculous things all the time." Robin teased.
"Hey, I'm serious you two." Clover said to Sofia and Madeline. "If you want to ride those fleabags with wings; and I don't know why you would. It just makes my head spin at the thought. But if you two really want to, then go for it, We're not stopping you. After all, there's a first time for everything."
"You know, you're right Clover." Sofia smiled.
"There really is a first time for everything." Robin joked.
A while later, the family were having dinner.
"How was Flying Derby practice today, James?" Roland asked.
"Great!" James replied.
"So, you did actually practice?" Roland said sternly.
"More or less?" James shrugged.
"We have an announcement." Madeline declared. "We're going to try out for the team."
Amber gasped.
"Sofia, Madeline, I already told you: princesses don't do that!" She reminded them.
"But there IS a first time for everything, Amber." Sofia echoed Clover's words.
"I think it's a wonderful idea." Miranda. She then cleared her throat loudly at Roland.
"As do I." Roland agreed.
"But they don't know anything about Flying Derby." James protested. "They can't even ride a Horse."
"Then someone will have to teach them." Roland said simply. "Someone like you, James."
"Me?!" James stammerd. "But, but..."
"But What?" Roland asked.
"What will the other Princes say?!" James blurted out.
"They'll be too busy laughing to be able to say anything." Amber chuckled.
"They'll say what a great brother you are, James." Miranda said.
Plus, it will give you extra practice." Roland added.
"But they don't even have riding clothes." James tried desperately to get out of it.
"They will by morning." Baileywick interjected.
"Thanks, Baileywick." Madeline nodded.
"It's settled then." Roland smiled.
The next afternoon, after school was done, James, Sofia and Madeline approached the stables. James was wearing a green riding clothes with a back hat. Sofia was wearing purple riding clothes with her purple Amulet and Madeline was are blue riding clothes to match her blue amulet.
"Sir Gilliam." Sofia greeted.
"Huh?" Sir Gilliam looked in their direction. "Oh, it's your two again."
"And we're ready to Practice!" Madeline declared.
"Can we have a Horse Please?" Sofia asked.
"I'm sorry girls" Sir Gilliam replied. "But there's only one Horse Left, and nobody wants him."
"We do please." Madeline smiled.
"You both do?" Sir Gilliam asked. "Of course you both do."
The girls followed Sir Gilliam to the stables, where they saw a magnificent black horse.
"Wow, what a beautiful horse." Sofia gasped.
"Oh, not him." Sir Gilliam laughed, as the black was moved out of the way, revealing a small lavender horse. "Girls, this is Minimus. He's all yours."
"Hi there, Minimus." Sofia greeted the horse. "I'm Sofia."
"And I'm Madeline." Madeline added.
"Will you be our Horse in the Flying Derby?" Sofia asked.
"Oh, you don't wanna ride me, Princesses." Minimus said nervously. "If-if only you spoke horse, I could tell ya..."
"But we can speak horse." Madeline smiled.
"Aah!" Minimus gasped, nonplussed. "Wow, uh, what? How?"
"Because of our amulets." Sofia held hers up. "The amulets of Avalor. They give us the power to talk to animals."
"Well then, lemme give you a piece of advice." Minimus smiled. "If you want to win, you'll pick another horse. "You see, I have short legs, small wings, I don't fly fast, I worry... about everything."
Sofia and Madeline gggled.
"We think you're perfect." Madeline smiled, taking his chin in her hands. "Just the way you are."
"Really?" Minimus beamed.
A fanfare rang outside. It was time for the riders to bring their horses to the race course.
"Alright everyone, gather round." Sir Gilliam instructed. "The tryout Race is at the end of the week, right here on our derby course. Only the first two riders to cross the finish line make the team. so let's Practice hard, fly fast. and always be royal!"
Sofia and Madeline tried to get on Minimus, but they kept across his sides.
"Let me help you." James offered, helping them up.
James gave each girl a boost, using his hand as a step for them.
"Thanks, James." Madeline added.
Sofia tugged at Minimus's reins.
"Uhh, now What do we do?" She asked.
The watching princes laughed.
"When you're done, James, can you help my sisters get on their ponies?" Hugo asked mockingly.
Scowling, James took Minimus's reins, leading him across the course.
"Let's go over here" James pointed to the field outside. "Where no one can see us."
"Okay." Sofia agreed.
A short while later, James and his horse stood opposite Sofia, Madeline and Minimus.
"All you have to do is flick the reins to take off, pull them the way you want to go." James demonstrated.
"That's it?" Madeline asked.
"Yep, it's easy." James smiled.
"Okay, here we go, Minimus." Sofia flicked the reins. "Yah!"
"Whoa, hey, here we go!" Minimus yelped, taking off.
The flight went well at first, but Minimus was startled by a passing bird, and Sofia and Madeline fell off. Their landing was cushioned by one of the safety pads dotted around the path. Undaunted, Sofia and Madeline tried again. The second time, Minimus turned too quickly for them to hold on. The third time, Minimus went straight up, and Sofia and Madeline slipped off his back.
"What are we doing wrong?" Madeline asked.
"I don't know." James shrugged. "We can stop if you want."
"We are not giving up." Sofia insisted. "We don't care how many we fall. We're going to try out for the team."
"Right!" Madeline agreed.
Hugo and his horse suddenly descended on them.
"You've got to stay on your horse, first." He sneered. "I know you were a bad racer, james, but you're a worst teacher. Guess Flying Derby isn't a princess thing after all."
"You can make of me all you want, Hugo." James told him. "But not my sisters."
Sniggering, Hugo left.
"If you're not going to give up, I won'teither." James told Sofia and Madeline, bumping his fist into their open palms. "Come on."
"Climb aboard." James offered. Sofia and Madeline climbed on James' horse. Sofia sat at the back, while Madeline was up front with James.
Now keep your Hands on my hands." James instructed. "Ready?"
"Ready." Madeline nodded.
"Me too." Sofia added.
They went up and soared through the air.
"Look out, coming through!" James smiled, as his horse flew over some workers. "All right, so far so good. Now this is how you steer."
With a deft pull on the reins, James steered his horse effortlessly.
"Whoa!" Sofia gasped.
"This is Amazing!" Madeline whooped.
They flew over Amber and her friends. One of the girls asked "Amber is that your sisters' up there?"
"I can't believe they're really doing it." Amber scoffed.
I can't believe we're really doing it!" Madeline cheered.
"You sure are Madeline." James smiled.
"We're flying!" Sofia cheered.
"Now, let's teach you how to race." James declared.
They returned to the ground, where Sofia and Madeline climbed on Minimus.
"Yah!" James called, his horse taking off.
"Giddy up, Minimus!" Sofia yelled.
"Whoa, here we go!" Cried Minimus.
"Through the trees!" Madeline instructed. "Catch James!"
"Woo-hoo!" James whooped.
"Yeah!" Sofia cheered.
After a good flight, they stood before a steeple.
"Alright it's time for the last hurdle!" James declared. "It's the toughest part of the course, right before the Finish line. "We go under the gate and through the steeple. Come on."
The young royals flew their horses towards their goal. As thy flew through the tunnel, Minimus tilted awkwardly, all four hooves pointed forwards. Then they followed James up the steeple. As his horse passed through, he pulled the bell's cord, ringing it loudly. Unfortunately, Minimus has having trouble ascending.
"We're not gonna make it!" He groaned.
"If James can do it, so can we!" Sofia declared.
Amber and her friends watched as they neared the top of the steeple.
"Not necessarily!" Minimus suddenly dropped down, turning back towards the ground.
As James passed by Royal Prep, Sir Gilliam, watching from a balcony, pushed the button on his stopwatch.
"Looking good, James!" He cheered. "That's your fastest run ever!"
"Oh, Sofia, Madeline." James sighed as Minimus trotted up to him, carrying the dejected pair. "You'll get it next time."
"Let's hope so." Madeline hung her head.
That evening, back at the castle, Amber entered Sofia and Madeline's room.
"Are you two okay?" She asked. "I saw you almost crash."
"I guess we need more practise." Sofia shrugged.
"But you only have one day left before the race." Amber reminded them.
"We know." Madeline sighed.
"Maybe the princes are just... better at this." Amber suggested. "I think you should stop." I don't want you to get hurt."
Amber left the room. Sofia and Madeline removed their riding helmets, and wandered over to their bed, where Clover and the other animals were waiting.
"So, uh, how'd it go?" Clover asked tentatively.
"Lousy." Sofia declared. "We can't even make it to the finish line, and we only have more day until the race." "
"Amber said we should quit." Madeline added. "We don't know what to do."
"My mother had a saying." Robin flapped over to them. "The early bird gets the worm."
"Oh, what do Sofia and Madeline need a worm for?" Mia asked.
"They don't, Mia." Clover said, sitting on Sofia's lap. "Hey, what Robin's saying is: Get an early start tomorrow. You've got one more day, girls. Make it count."
"Good idea." Sofia smiled.
"Thanks guys." Madeline rubbed the top of Clover's head.
The next day, Sofia and Madeline got up as early as possible. As Sir Gilliam strolled toward the stables, they flew by on Minimus, causing him to spill his tea.
Sofia: We're takin' off into something new There's so much We gotta do And we're the only ones who think we'll make it through
Madeline: But the only way to win Is to try and try again They wanna count us out but we'll make them count us in
Sofia: We can be anything Wecan see anything You can teach anything We can reach anything We can do anything So can you Anything that you try Look and see You can be anything
Madeline: And we know with you by our side It'll be a better ride Together we can be each other's guide With a friend to see us through There's nothing we can't do Gonna spread our wings And soar into the blue
Sofia: We can be anything We can see anything You can teach anything We can reach anything We can do anything So can you Anything that you try Look and see You can be anything
Madeline: And whatever it takes We'll learn from our mistakes We'll get up when we fall And never stop giving it our all
Sofia: We can be anything We can see anything You can teach anything We can reach anything We can do anything So can you Anything that you try Look and see We can be anything
Madeline: Look and see We can be anything
Anything
Once again, they neared the steeple.
"Okay Minimus, we can do it this time." Sofia said boldly.
"That's what you said the last four times." Minimus whimpered.
"Well, here we go." Madeline declared.
They passed through the bridge easily enough.
"Up, Minimus!" Sofia directed. "Up, up, up!"
Minimus climbed higher and higher, but found himself going slower and slower.
"We're not gonna make it!" He gasped under the strain.
Unable to go any higher, Minimus returned to the ground.
"It's all my fault." Minimus lowered his head. "You should switch to a bigger horse."
"You're big enough." Madeline consoled him.
"A faster horse, then." Minimus retorted.
"Minimus, you're plenty fast." Sofia stroked his mane.
Hugo strolled by on his horse.
"You can talk to your horse all you want, but it's not going to get you through that steeple." He told the girls. "And if you can't finish the race, why even bother starting it? You should go back where you belong, with the other princesses."
And with that, Hugo and his horse took off into the sky, leaving Minimus and his riders trotting sadly away.
"After school, Sofia and Madeline came home, finding Miranda waiting for them.
"Hi, girls." She smiled.
"What are you doing out here"? Madeline asked.
"Waiting for your two." Miranda replied. Wow, you two have been practising all this time?
"Yes." Sofia nodded.
"Well I have some good news for your two." Miranda told them. "Your Father and I are coming to the tryout race tomorrow."
"Oh you don't Have to do that Mom." Madeline said awkwardly.
"Oh, we wouldn't miss it for the world." Miranda chuckled.
"It's just that we've been thinking about not going." Sofia admitted.
"Why, girls?" Miranda asked.
"We still can't make it through the last steeple." Madeline admitted. "Maybe Hugo and Amber are right and only Princes should Race."
"And maybe Princesses can do anything princes can if they keep trying, and never give up." Miranda suggested.
"Do you think we can make the team?" Sofia asked.
"I know you can, girls." Miranda smiled supportively. "But what's important is what you think."
The next day, Sofia and Madeline couldn't help but notice that the stands at the tryout race were packed. Sofia and Madeline raced across the stables, running into Amber and her friends along the way.
"Amber, everyone's here!" Sofia declared.
"I know." Amber smiled. "It's a good thing I wore my derby tiara." She suddenly spotted Hugo. "Oh, he's here! Prince Hugo!"
Opening her Hugo-patterned fan, Amber followed after the smug prince, her friends right behind her. James joined Sofia and Madeline.
"Well, today's the big day." He smiled. "Are you ready?"
"Good luck, girls!" Miranda waved as she and Roland passed by in the royal carriage.
"James, why are there so many people here?" Madeline asked.
"They want to know if princesses can really make the team." James explained. "So let's show 'em."
Sofia and Madeline looked at each other, then back to James.
"Okay." They said together.
As a fanfare played, the racers made their way to the starting line.
"You ready, Minimus?" Madeline asked.
"Ready for what?" Minimus said quickly. "Turning around and going back to the Stable? You bet. Great idea!"
"Minimus, we're, going to do great." Sofia turned him back to the starting point. "I know it."
The girls and Minimus took their place among the other contestants. Hugo gave them a cold sneer, while James gave them a thumbs up. Flora, Fauna and Merryweather flew above the starting line.
"Welcome to the Flying Derby Tryout Race!" Flora announced. "As Everyone knows, the first two riders to cross the finish line earn their place on the Royal Prep's Flying Derby team! So without further ado... Horses, on your wings!"
"Get Set!" Merryweather added.
"Go!" The fairies said together.
The horses dashed out of their starting gates.
"And they're off!" Sir Gilliam announced.
"Fly, Minmus!" Sofia said. "Yah!"
"Prince Hugo takes the early lead with Prince James just behind him." Sir Gilliam announced.
"Go, Hugo, go!" Amber cheered.
"Catch them, Minmus!" Madeline declared.
"Here comes Princesses Sofia and Madeline!" Sir Gilliam said to the crowd. "They're making they way through the pack."
"Looks like we need to take the Princesses out of the race." Hugo sneered.
As the racers flew over a cottage, Hugo made his horse stop, right in front of Minimus.
"Sofia, look out!" Madeline cried.
Minimus stopped suddenly, causing Sofia and Madeline to fall onto some hay bales below.
"Prince Hugo did that on purpose!" Amber said, outraged.
"See ys, princesses." Hugo jeered.
"That's not right." Amber seethed, throwing away her Hugo fan. "Boo, Hugo!"
Minimus came down to help Sofia and Madeline.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah." Sofia sighed.
"What are you doing?" James hovered above them. "Get back on your horse!"
"What's the point, James?" Madeline despaired. "We blew it."
"But go." Sofia told him. "You can still win."
"So can you." James offered his hand. "I'm not crossing the finish line without you."
Sofia and Madeline took James hand in turn, and he helped them back on Minimus.
"Come on, girls!" James prompted. "Let's go!"
The two horses took off in pursuit of the others.
"The princesses are back in the race!" A bystander noted.
"Go, Sofia!" Amber cheered. "Go, Madeline!"
The girls and James started to pass some of the other racers, to the cheers of the crowd.
"Come on, Minimus." Sofia tugged the reins. "Yah!"
"Sofia and James have caught the pack, and passed them." Sir Gilliam declared. "But Hugo still has the lead."
"There's Hugo!" James pointed out.
"And there's the steeple." Madeline said quietly.
"Come on Sofia, Madeline." Amber watched through her opera glasses. "You can do it. Beat Hugo!"
"Let's go!" James prompted.
"Okay, we're going!" Madeline whooped.
"Come on, Minimus!" Sofia declared. "We can do this!"
"Oh, I don't know." Minimus trembled.
"Well, we do!" Madeline smiled. "Yah!"
"Here we go!" Minimus yelled.
Minimus flew up the steeple again. Hugo rang the bell, followed by James.
"Climb, climb, climb!" Sofia encouraged Minimus. As he miraculously managed to make it to the top, she added. "Now, tuck those wings!"
Minimus passed through the steeple, Madeline ringing the bell as he did.
"I did it!" Minimus gasped.
"How did they...?" Hugo gazed back in disbelief, failing to notice the oncoming tree until it was right in front of him. "Whoa!"
Hugo's horse evaded a crash just in time. Minimus and James' horse were right behind him, the three of them heading for the finish line.
"All they have to do is pass Hugo, and they'll win!" Amber declared.
"And as they turn down the stretch, it's Hugo, James, and Sofia and Madeline, neck and neck!"
"Come on, girls!" James declared.
"Right Minimus, here we go!" Sofia said firmly.
Minimus and James' horse pushed ahead of Hugo's, breaking the tape and taking first and second place.
"Yes!" Amber cheered. Sofia and Madeline did it!"
"Princess Sofia, Princess Madeline and Prince James have won the Tryout race and made the team!" Sir Gilliam boomed.
"Great Job Minimus." Sofia smiled.
"We won, we actually won!" Minimus smiled as the sisters jumped off him. "Wait, does that mean they'll expect us to win the next race? And the one after that? I think I need to lie down!"
As Minimus lay flat on his back, Sofia and Madeline giggled "Oh, Minimus." It was then that James joined them.
"Oh, thank you James!" Madeline said gratefully, as both sister give their brother a hug. "We couldn't have made it without you.
"Same here." James replied. "I Never would have made the team if I didn't spend all that time Practicing with your two.
"Congratulations!" Sir Gilliam told the siblings. "I hereby present you three with the official team jerseys."
The crowd cheered once more.
"Thank you, Sir Gilliam!" Sofia smiled.
"Brilliant!" James cheered.
Roland and Miranda walked up to their offspring.
"What a race." Roland declared. "Well done, you two!"
"Thanks, dad." James smiled.
Sofia and Madeline hugged Miranda.
"We made the team, mom!" Madeline said gleefully.
"I knew you would." Madeline said with pride.
As Hugo dismounted his horse, he saw Amber approaching.
"Princess Amber." He bowed.
Amber walked right by him, the only sound she made being a derisive "Hmph!"
"Huh?" Hugo gaped.
"You were great, girls!" Amber hugged her sisters. "I was wrong. Flying Derby is a princess thing."
"Anything can be, if we try hard enough." Sofia smiled.
Amber examined Sofia and Madeline's new jerseys.
"That's what they gave you for winning?" She asked critically. "No, you need a real prize... I know!"
Amber gave them her derby tiara.
"But that's your derby tiara." Madeline protested.
"I want you both to have it." Amber declared. "Because I'm your biggest fan."
"You know, I won too." James reminded her.
I know." Amber said offhandedly as she tried on Sofia's riding cap